Skied up Ridge Run from Cascade Lodge, over to Deeryard, around the loop, and back down connector to west Pioneer Loop. Temps were about 34 degrees down by the lake when I started and dropped as I climbed up to Deeryard. I used my waxless crowns, anticipating widely varying conditions and temps. They worked fine everywhere. There was about 3+ inches of new snow on the trails, some of which had been skier tracked, some of which I broke trail. The winds were very strong and tracks drifted in quickly after being skied as the parts I repeated on the way back were completely drifted in. But it was a great workout and a fine ski outing.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied Deeryard loop from the top including Fire tower and short loops. A fair amount of drifting has occurred since last grooming but at least one of the two tracks was usually skied in or were after I went thru. Very little debris given all the wind we have had and kick and glide were good.

(Tim Nelson)

From the Hall road trailhead Skied to Cascade and back around Massie and Hall loops. Massie and Hall are in fine shape. Tree debris and animal (wolf and deer) activity made the tracks on the connector start to break down, but was not a big problem. Temps near the lake were much nicer than over the hill, making this a good choice for cold skiing.

(Tim Nelson)

Trail in good condition and fairly firm. Skied from Cascade to Solbakken and back. Lots of deer and wolf tracks. Saw some bone and hide chunks from a kill.

Photos:

(Angie Robinson)

Did a nice ski around the Massie and Hall loops from the Caribou Trail trailhead. Tracks were well formed, kick with Swix polar and glide were good in spite of below zero temps. Skate deck looked very firm as well. Lots of wolf, deer, and moose tracks!

(Tim Nelson)

Skied the connector from the snowmobile parking lot off Hwy 61 to the pioneer loop, up and across the connector to Deeryard loop, around deereard and the short loop and back down the other side of Pioneer. Most of the trail is is in excellent double classic track condition. On lower pioneer there were quite a few walkers which made the trail uneven but it was not a huge problem. Tree debris on pioneer and the connector was a minor problem and I still got a few pole plunges in the deep snow on deereard, but all these are minor problems to an otherwise great afternoon on the Norpine system. Great trail system, great workout especially climbing up to Deeryard on Pioneer.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied all the Deer Yard trails, which had been groomed on Friday (after the wind died down, apparently). The tracks were in great condition (classic only). The spur to the old fire tower didn't looked like it got the Friday grooming; the tracks were a bit filled in but still easy to follow (photo is from that section). We followed fox tracks for quite a while. A beautiful and peaceful outing in the woods. Thanks, Norpine Trail Association!

Photos:

(Anne Flueckiger)

Skied the Norpine connector trail starting at Ski Hill Road. Snowing today, but it was easy to still see the classic tracks. Hard to find a word to adequately describe the marvelous new fluffy snow on this great trail. Perfect day. This trail is good for beginners. The trail is full of pine trees that were laden with snow. Magical.

(Mary Stephens)

Skied up from Cascade lodge trailhead up Pioneer to the Deeryard connector, around Deeryard and Short Loop and then back down second half of Pioneer. Last night's snow dusting plus strong winds overnight caused the tracks to be drifted in. After I skied them in they were better but still shallow. There is so much snow up there that pole plunging is still an occasional problem but overall it was a great but slow ski. The short loop was in much better condition than the last several times I skied it. Much of the rolling dips have been smoothed out and the single track placed in the center versus the side of the trail, all making for a much safer ski.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied from Caribou Trail trailhead to and around Massie and Hall loops and back thru the lower deer side loops on the way back. Skiing was excellent in spite of the cold (well below zero) temps. Tracks were well formed, kick and glide was good and the tree debris, although there did not seem to interrupt my ski flow as sometimes happens. Minimal drifting and a firm deck made for a good ski.

(Tim Nelson)